Brabo III

Facilitating the import and export of electricity

Making it easier to transmit electricity within Belgium and trade power with the Netherlands

The Brabo project consists of three subprojects. Brabo I is already operational. Work on Brabo II is currently under way in the port of Antwerp. Brabo III – which is kicking off now and due to commission by the end of 2024 – will enhance electricity transmission within Belgium and make it easier to trade power with the Netherlands.

In the interest of society

Elia’s aim with the Brabo project is to enable a transition to sustainable, reliable and affordable electricity by facilitating the import and export of electricity between Belgium and the Netherlands. The project serves three main purposes:

Trading power with neighbouring countries
The Brabo project will facilitate the import and export of electricity between Belgium and the Netherlands. The development of robust power connections between countries is a key building block for an efficient European electricity market.

Upgrading the Belgian electricity grid
Brabo III will see Elia upgrade Belgium’s existing 380-kV network, which forms the backbone of the Belgian power grid. Once the work is complete, Elia will be able to transmit up to 20% more electricity on the upgraded power connection within the 380-kV network.

Efficiently staggering electricity flows
Renewable energy being generated around the country means an increase in flows of electricity on the power grid. Brabo III will make it easier for Elia to stagger and transmit these flows in the future.

The route

Brabo III can be subdivided into three parts based in Beveren, Kruibeke and Zwijndrecht.

Laying a 150-kV underground cable between Kallo and Fort Sint-Filips
Elia is laying a new 150-kV underground cable between the Kallo and Fort Sint-Filips high-voltage substations so that work can be done on the Liefkenshoek-Mercator overhead line at the Kallo high-voltage substation.

Laying a 150-kV underground cable between Kallo and Beveren-Waas
Elia is laying a new 150-kV underground cable between the Kallo and Beveren-Waas high-voltage substations. This is vital for maintaining sufficient capacity at 150 kV while work is being performed on the Liefkenshoek-Mercator overhead line.

Upgrading the Liefkenshoek-Mercator high-voltage overhead line
Elia is taking down the existing 150-kV overhead line between Liefkenshoek and the Mercator high-voltage substation in Kruibeke, then erecting a new, upgraded 380-kV overhead line in the same location. The new overhead line will be a key link in the Belgian power grid.

Environment

Project EIA
A project EIA has been carried out to gauge the environmental impact of the entire Brabo route, from Zandvliet to Mercator. The EIA determined the type, height, span and location of pylons and electric wires and the working method used, and also examined electromagnetic fields. The project EIA can be found on the website of the Flemish Government’s Environmental Impact Assessment Service: www.mervlaanderen.be.

Measures to minimise disruption
As early as the design and study phase for a project’s route and implementation method, Elia is already considering how the project will affect people, the environment and the local area. With that in mind, a number of measures designed to limit disruption have been put in place for Brabo III.

1. Elia will restore land to its original state once work is complete.

2. Where possible, Elia will set up its project site depots in existing industrial zones or paved areas to reduce the impact on the local area and the natural environment.

3. Elia guarantees that local residents will always be able to access their homes.

4. Work will not be carried out at night, so depots and sites will not be lit up during the night.

5. Site vehicles will use the shortest, safest and most accessible routes.

6. Elia will use wooden gantries or cranes when removing or pulling cables close to railways, roads or other key infrastructure with a view to minimising the impact on the surrounding area.

7. If normal traffic has to be diverted, the diversions will be agreed with the relevant road authority (the municipal council or the Flemish Region) and clearly communicated to local residents.

Schedule

According to the current schedule, Elia will submit permit applications for the project in autumn 2020 with a view to starting work on laying the 150-kV underground electricity cables in 2021. From late 2021 onwards, Elia plans to begin upgrading the existing 150-kV line between Liefkenshoek and Mercator, replacing it with a 380-kV line.

News

Brabo lll

09 April 2020

Everything you always wanted to know about Brabo III in a handy brochure

Keen to find out more about Brabo III? Our brochure entitled Makkelijker elektriciteit importeren en exporteren (Importing and exporting electricity more easily – available in Dutch only) provides a clear overview of the three subprojects and the kind of work being performed

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